Citroen XM Forum

Hi Kit

I tried replacing the band with more rigid things first. Makes no difference if the glue has gone hard.
I even tried a thin steel rod but will use pvc coated copper rod if I make a successful repair.
Have a good supply of that.
It was this that made me realise that it is the aging, expansion and hardening of the original glue that breaks the contact.
Peeling the plastic foil cracks and breaks the contact membrane on the other side.
Stroking each individual contact with the pressure of a hot iron remelts the glue and remakes the contact without that breakage.
The iron I used was a fixed temperature one of around 400C which is a bit too hot for the plastic foil.
Have now got an iron that can be set as required between 150C and 450C.
Will temperature test some gash plastic foil connectors from the junk box first.

John

Yes its a PITA job, but with patience an old one can be restored!

It's easy with the rubberized connector sold on ebay. Takes only about 2 hours of your time if you do it for the first time.

I have used one of the french ebay strips, works fine, no problems scince. Should have been made this way from new!

zaphod wrote:I have used one of the french ebay strips, works fine, no problems scince. Should have been made this way from new!

I like that term: 'french ebay strips'
Sad truth is that not only the cars we buy but also a multitude of other products we use are loaded with components that are not designed or manufactured to last. Whether that is intentional or not I do not know.